Tavistock U16s 17

Okehampton U16s 33

OKEHAMPTON U16s travelled down the road to local rivals Tavistock. With the exception of a 30-point trouncing handed out by Tavistock earlier in the year, games between the West Devon sides are usually tight and competitive. But, in all the encounters so far, Okehampton have yet to claim a win and Tavistock have become somewhat of a bogey team for the Okes.

So, it was encouraging for the visitors to get off to a flying start with an early try from winger George Dickinson, converted by captain Ewan Northcott.

A penalty kicked downfield by Tavistock was collected by full back George Harding, who made good ground before passing to Tom Stevens, whose beautifully timed pass to George D resulted in the winger crossing for his second. Ewan converted and Oke were ahead 0-14.

The home side began to exert some pressure with a series of drives and effective scrums, but a dropped ball mopped up by Kai Middleton was popped up to centre Brad Simmons; he sprinted half the length of the field to dab down, but a foot just in touch ruled out the score.

Again, Tavistock began to mount attacks on the Okehampton defence, which held out until a nifty break from their full back got them down to the try line and a couple of phases later saw them cross for their first score to make it 5-14.

It was Tavistock’s turn to score quickly after the restart, slipping through some weak Okehampton tackles for a well-worked try under the posts, duly converted for 12-14.

The next 10 minutes saw the game enter the doldrums as both sides searched for an opening, and the visitors giving away a few too many penalties. Eventually, however, Okehampton settled and some great work from the forwards got them deep into Tavistock territory. Despite the home side clearing their lines Oke won a scrum and Ewan set up George D for his hat trick. A couple of minutes later Okehampton were attacking again, with Dan Turney making a strong run down the wing, from which a penalty was awarded. The ball came out to Mo Taylor, who powered his way through to score a great try. Ewan converted and Okehampton were ahead 12-26.

Tavistock came back hard at Okehampton and crossed to keep them in the game with their third try. But it was clear Okehampton were not going to give up their lead, and tenacious defence was turned into attack and in the last minute of the game Ethan Baker, Kai and Dan combined to get a great field position from which Tom Stevens burst through to secure the win. George D converted the try.

This was a superb game to watch, played by two determined sides. Their next game early next year is in the Fisherman’s League, and it should be a cracker.